Why Electric Bikes Make Commuting Better

E-Bikes: What I Learned After Swearing I Would Never Get One

Electric bikes have gotten legitimately good, and I say this as someone who spent years making snide comments about “cheating.” Then I rode one up a steep hill that usually destroys my legs and arrived at the top actually wanting to keep riding. Changed my perspective entirely. Today I will share what I have learned from test riding probably a dozen different models.

How They Actually Work

A battery powers a motor that assists when you pedal. The motor does not do all the work – you still pedal, just with help. Turn it off and you have a heavy regular bike. Turn it on and hills that made you dread the commute become completely manageable.

Most e-bikes have multiple assist levels. Eco mode barely helps but extends range. Turbo mode makes you feel superhuman but eats battery fast. Finding the right balance for your ride takes some experimentation.

The Two Main Types

Pedal-assist e-bikes only provide power when you are actually pedaling. Stop pedaling, motor stops. This feels most like normal cycling and is what most serious riders prefer. You are still exercising, just with a tailwind that never quits.

Throttle e-bikes let you power the motor without pedaling at all, like a scooter. Useful for starting from stops on steep hills or when you are completely exhausted. Less workout but more flexibility. Some bikes offer both modes.

I am apparently one of those people who prefers pure pedal-assist. The throttle option felt too much like giving up, though I understand why commuters like it.

Who They Are Actually For

Commuters who want to arrive without needing a shower. Hills kill regular bike commuting for many people. E-bikes solve this.

People who want to ride with faster partners. Instead of getting dropped on every climb, you keep up. Relationships have been saved by e-bikes, I am convinced.

Older riders or those recovering from injuries. The assistance keeps you moving when your body would otherwise force you to stop. My dad rides an e-bike now and logs more miles than he did twenty years ago on a regular bike.

Anyone with a really hilly area. Some neighborhoods are just brutal for cycling. E-bikes make them accessible.

The Reality of Range

Manufacturers claim optimistic numbers. Real world range depends on how much assist you use, how hilly your route is, your weight, and wind. Cut the advertised range by 30 to 40 percent for realistic planning.

Most decent e-bikes get 30 to 50 miles of usable range in mixed riding. That covers commuting and recreational rides easily. If you need more, look for bikes with larger batteries or buy a second battery.

What I Would Actually Buy

For commuting: Something sturdy with fenders, lights, and a rear rack. Rad Power Bikes makes affordable options that just work. The RadCity is popular for a reason.

For road and fitness riding: Look at brands like Trek or Specialized that make e-road bikes. They feel more like real road bikes, just with assistance. Expensive but nice.

For versatility: A good e-gravel bike handles roads, paths, and light trails. These are becoming my recommendation for people who want one bike to do everything.

The Maintenance Difference

E-bikes need the same maintenance as regular bikes – brake pads, chain lubrication, tire pressure, occasional derailleur adjustment. The electrical stuff mostly takes care of itself.

Keep the battery charged. Lithium batteries do not like sitting fully depleted for long periods. Store between 40 and 80 percent charge if you are not riding for a while.

Batteries eventually lose capacity after hundreds of charge cycles. Plan for replacement after maybe 3 to 5 years of heavy use. This is a significant expense, usually several hundred dollars.

Probably Should Have Led With This

You are still exercising on an e-bike. Studies consistently show that e-bike riders get comparable cardiovascular benefits to regular cyclists because they ride more often and farther. The motor just removes the parts that stop people from riding at all.

That is what makes e-bikes endearing to me now – they get more people cycling, period. Whatever gets someone on two wheels and enjoying it has value.